In the year 1992, Marvel
Entertainment Group and Saban Entertainment premiered a new animated series on
Fox Kids Network. This was “X-Men,” based on the Marvel Comics superhero team
of the same name, and at the time the foremost Marvel characters in the brand’s
fandom, greater than even the Avengers. The animated “X-Men” series adapted key
storylines of the comic book in 76 episodes across five seasons, lasting until
1997. Then last year, Disney+ announced plans to revive the show as “X-Men ’97,”
reassembling the original creative team and voice cast. Now, further details of
the revival have been revealed.
Comic Book Resources has it that the writing team of the 1992-97 “X-Men”
animated series has dropped hints on what to expect from the unexpected revival
“X-Men ’97,” coming to Disney+. Eric and Julia Lewald were interviewed on
YouTube by Justin Underwood last week, where they added more specifics to the
2023 premiere window announced in late 2021’s Disney+ Day. If things go to
schedule, the inaugural season of the revival will arrive in the middle of next
year, with 10 episodes expected to run. The Lewalds also reiterated that “X-Men
‘97” will pick up from the finale of their original 1990s series, which offers
some storytelling challenges as well.
"There is great love and
affection and respect from an entire group of people that are doing this show,
starting at the top with Beau DeMayo as the showrunner,” says the writing
tandem. News of DeMayo as show-runner of “X-Men ‘97” should also raise heads, being
part of the writing team for Netflix’s live-action and animated “The Witcher”
streaming series. Equally exciting is the return of the original cast, led by
voice actor Cal Dodd, who gave a memorable performance as the mutant Wolverine,
before Hugh Jackman and the movies.
“X-Men” became a hit with 1990s
TV audiences of a wide age demographic due to its adaptation of classic
comic-book storylines for younger audiences, without talking down to them.
Among longtime Marvel fans, this series is considered one of the best
adaptations of the original comics. It is yet to be revealed if “X-Men’97” will
adapt later storylines like its predecessor, or launch into an all-original
narrative. What is known is that it will stream exclusive on Disney+, giving
the service yet another hotly-anticipated media to encourage new subscribers
worldwide.
Image courtesy of SuperHeroHype
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